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Londoners must have been questioning whether their Starbucks had been laced with something dodgy this morning after Russian President Vladimir Putin and USA leader Donald Trump were spotted riding bareback through the capital.

That’s right folks, to mark the biggest week in the racing calendar we spent this morning horsing around in London, with prosthetic-Presidents Putin and Trump – and their faithful steed apparently named ‘Trotski’.

But why? Well other than the simple fact we thought it would be hilarious to see the shirtless pair on horseback – there was good reason for their arrival.

Thanks to the ‘Trump-factor’ we’ve seen a HUGE increase in political bets in the lead up to racing’s biggest week, with turnover on political markets expected to top £10m across the industry in 2017. But that figure is quite-literally ‘Trumped’ by the £800m that will be staked during this #CheltMental week.

Understanding racegoers know their horses from their executive orders, to celebrate this week’s racing spectacle we’re now giving them the chance to bet on both.

For the first time punters can get stuck into #CheltMental-Politics specials, including; Willie Mullins to be Top Trainer and Trump to serve a 2nd Term (7/2), Ruby Walsh to be Top Jockey and Trump to be impeached in 2017 (8/1), and Neon Wolf to win the Novices Hurdle and Sean Spicer to be sacked in 2017 (20/1).

Commuters were left gobsmacked by the traffic-stopping stunt with Putin and Trump, who appeared in good spirits ahead of the horse racing industry’s biggest week. The powerful duo were spotted shirtless trotting through the capital, before holding hands outside Parliament, and sharing a kiss in front of Buckingham Palace.

Asked for his thoughts on the matter spokesman Paddy Power said: “With political punting at an all-time high, Vlad and The Donald seemed more than happy to swap nukes for nags ahead of the festival.

“We’ve seen a huge surge in political bets since Trump took office and with a big week of horseracing ahead it made perfect sense to offer punters the chance to bet on both.”

After spotting our Putin and Trump one bemused Londoner commented: “We’re used to seeing some spectacles in London but I thought I needed a pair when spotting this.

“It’s not every day that you bump into the two most powerful men on the planet – it certainly set my heart racing.”

Fake news I hear you say? Well sort of. To pull the stunt off we teamed up with some Hollywood special effects artists, and after 6-hours and more make-up than the entire cast of TOWIE, we transformed actors Karl Greenwood and Doug Daveney into the controversial Presidents.

Toffs, rowdy footballers, and now world leaders – racing really does attract all sorts!

Our #CheltMental-Politics specials

7/2 Willie Mullins to be Top Trainer and Trump to serve a 2nd Term
8/1 Ruby Walsh to be Top Jockey and Trump to be impeached in 2017
10/1 Douvan to win Queen Mother Champion Chase and Trump to resign in 2017
20/1 Limini to win the Mares Hurdle and Kellyanne Conway to be sacked in 2017
20/1 Neon Wolf to win the Novices Hurdle and Sean Spicer to be sacked in 2017
40/1 Melon to win the Supreme Novices Hurdle and Trump to outlaw Gay Marriage
50/1 Un De Sceaux to win the Ryanair and Trump to admit he wears fake tan
80/1 Cantlow to win the Cross Country Chase and Trump to make Russia first state visit
100/1 Native River to win the Gold Cup and Putin to win the Nobel Peace Prize in 2017
100/1 Colin Tizzard to be Top Trainer and Mexico to pay for Trump’s wall
100/1 Altior to win the Arkle and Trump to open Are 51 to the public
150/1 Yanworth to win the Champion Hurdle and Trump to ban Russians from US entry
200/1 Cue Card to win the Gold Cup and Trump to paint the White House Gold